Betfair plans to turn Britian’s most successful female Olympian Victoria Pendleton into a Cheltenham Festival jockey, as the multiple Olympic Gold medallist targets qualifying for the 2016 Foxhunter Chase.
The operator has teamed Pendleton with legendary UK trainer Paul Nicholls with a view of qualifying for a Category A amateur riding licence which would allow the athlete to ride flat and jump races, as well as competing in point to point field.
Pendleton said: “I’ve been looking for a new and exciting challenge. When Betfair approached me about the opportunity to train to become a licensed amateur jockey, it captured my imagination.
“My team and I have identified the ambitious target of riding competitively in the Foxhunters Chase at Cheltenham Festival next year, but the initial focus will be on getting me to a level whereby I am granted an amateur jockey licence, which is a significant challenge in itself given that I had never even sat on a horse until a week ago.”
Paul Nicholls will allow Pendleton full use of his training facilities as well as his invaluable tutelage and guidance. Commenting on his new pupil Nicholls said
“Victoria Pendleton is an outstanding athlete with a real drive and determination, so whilst this is an incredibly difficult challenge, these attributes are exactly what you need to become a jockey”
Pendleton riding efforts will aim to raise the profile of UK racing and in particular the efforts of jockeys
Betfair -Victoria Pendleton Video